Feb. 17, 2017

Convention Business Soars

Orlando's meetings and convention industry remains a strong performer, continuing to outpace even our high expectations. After setting records in total convention center attendance in 2016, I am pleased to share that we are now on track to welcome more than 1.3 million citywide attendees this year - the highest in the center's history. This is a testimony to the terrific efforts of our convention sales and the convention center teams, working together to ensure we are positioned as a premier destination for these highly sought-after events.

One of the contributing events to this hallmark year takes place next week with the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition. Sunday through Thursday, more than 40,000 healthcare IT professionals from around the world converge in Orlando to discuss optimizing health care through leveraging information technology. These five days of activities will create an estimated spend of nearly $38 million throughout our destination.

The sustained growth of our convention business is something that benefits us all - bringing more jobs, increased awareness of our destination and a significant economic impact to our community. Already off to a strong first quarter, we are well on our way to another fantastic year!

-George Aguel

New Economic Forecasts Reflect Brighter Outlook

The U.S. economy looks stronger now than it did three months ago according to the latest edition of a quarterly survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is forecasted to increase 2.3 percent in 2017, up slightly from 2.2 percent in the previous quarter's survey. Growth is forecasted to accelerate to 2.4 percent in 2018 and 2.6 percent in 2019 versus previous forecasts of 2.1 percent growth in both years. And forecasters assign a lower risk of a negative quarter within the next year than they did three months ago. Forecasts for the unemployment rate and payroll growth also improved. Combined with other indicators, such as the highest levels of consumer confidence in 15 years, the economic outlook for 2017 is positive and appears supportive of consumer spending on goods and services including travel.

Educational Webinar Shares Research & Insights

On Tuesday, Feb. 14, nearly 100 Visit Orlando members registered to hear Daryl Cronk, Visit Orlando's senior director of Market Research & Insights, share data research and analysis during a Visit Orlando member-exclusive webinar. Daryl provided analysis of the top domestic and international markets as well as trends Orlando businesses can expect in 2017. In addition, Daryl held a Q&A session. Members can access this and other webinars at MyVisitOrlando.com. Just click on "Resources" and look for the presentation in the "Events & Marketing Folder." For questions, please contact MemberRelations@VisitOrlando.com or 407-541-4303.

BBC Radio Travel Show Captures 874K Impressions

Andy Mossack, host of popular BBC Radio nighttime travel talk show "Where in the World is Andy?" recently featured an Orlando broadcast that generated 873,663 impressions on the BBC Radio Network thanks to a recent Visit Orlando press trip showcasing Orlando outside the theme parks. Mossack also wrote an extensive story about this topic for Trip Reporter, an online trip review site written exclusively by travel writers.

Mexico Newspaper on Orlando's Unique Attractions

As a result of a 2016 press trip hosted by the Public Relations Team, Reforma de viaje recently published a two-full-page article about Orlando and its majestic attractions. Reforma de viaje is the weekly travel supplement of Mexico's Reforma newspaper and its affiliates El Norte and Mural newspapers, with a combined print circulation of 317,865 and more than 3 million daily visitors online. "Sublime Aventura" highlighted the breathtaking experience of a sunrise flight with Orlando Balloon Rides. The article also described the unique activities and restaurants found in the city of Winter Park, which included Boca Kitchen Bar & Market, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, The Wine Room and the annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.

Conventional Sales Team Participates in RCMA

The Visit Orlando Convention Sales Team participated in the RCMA Emerge Conference held in Chicago Jan. 30-Feb. 1. Orlando information was shared with 500 meeting planners attending the professional faith-based tradeshow. The purpose of this event was to have an opportunity to meet and become acquainted with key religious meeting professionals and keep abreast of the latest developments in the religious meeting field.

Visit Orlando Hosts Philly Sales Mission

Twenty-one meeting planners from the Philadelphia area joined 15 Visit Orlando members and staff for a Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Islanders hockey game last Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center. Although the Flyers didn't win the game, Visit Orlando and the members won as they met new planners as well as became reacquainted with current customers. The following day Visit Orlando hosted an event for AMEX and Bristol Meyers where 17 planners enjoyed a delicious brunch with our members.

Visit Orlando Teams Up With Apex by Sunglass Hut

Visit Orlando is sharing some Orlando sunshine with Apex by Sunglass Hut consumers by giving away a chance to "Escape the Winter Blues" and win a trip to Sunny Orlando! The 3-week in-store and online promotion launched last week and will run through the end of February. The promotional creative, featuring Orlando, is prominently showcased in 30 stores across the United States, online as well as in email blasts to Apex by Sunglass Hut's database.

Weather Network Coverage Nets 10M Impressions

As a result of Visit Orlando's partnership with Canada's The Weather Network, the team generated two online features resulting in a combined 10 million impressions. The first highlighted what's new in Orlando - from major attractions at the theme parks to Orlando's growing dining scene. The second showcased special upcoming events including the 9th Annual Downtown Food & Wine Fest and Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando Resort.

Pro Bowl Press Trip Leads to Destination Coverage

The Public Relations Team hosted Erin Gifford of Kidventurous, a family travel site with 40,800 UMV, on a press trip during the recent NFL Pro Bowl, which resulted in coverage of the destination. "What to Do in Orlando (Besides Walt Disney World)" highlights her Pro Bowl experience, including fan-friendly activities at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while also focusing on the wide-range of activities families can enjoy in Orlando.

Orlando the Place to Visit During Carnival

Due to media outreach efforts by the Public Relations Team, the online Brazilian news outlet R7 (12,500,000 UMV) recently published an article highlighting Orlando's diverse activities for Brazilians who would like to travel during the country's Carnival break. Tips for a 5- to 7-day trip to Orlando emphasize the practicality and exclusivity of using VIP options for behind-the-scenes looks at the three major theme parks, as well as getting the most out of hotel and resort experiences. Also spotlighted are I-Drive 360, Universal's CityWalk and downtown Orlando's Amway Center for basketball or hockey games, dining in celebrity chef restaurants like Morimoto Asia and experiencing unique adventures such as hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch.

Networking Event Hosts Smith Bucklin Clients

Visit Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center hosted clients with Smith Bucklin for an evening of networking over dinner at the Fig & Olive restaurant in Chicago last week. The group represents America's SAP Users Group, which returns to Orlando each year, co-locating with Sapphire Now for their annual show.

Pictured, from left to right, are: Cassie Palacios, Smith Bucklin; Hayat Pronovost, Visit Orlando; Zhaydrix Robles, Holiday Inn Orlando; Kathleen Cotter, Orange County Convention Center; and Erin DeFauw, Smith Bucklin.

This Week at the Convention Center

Local Chefs Named James Beard Semifinalists

This year, Orlando is the proud home of two James Beard Awards Semifinalist Nominees for the "Best Chefs in the South" category, a most prestigious (and delicious) honor.

MCO 2016 Passenger Traffic Breaks Record

Orlando International Airport (MCO) ended 2016 processing nearly 42 million annual passengers, a new record, making it the most successful year in the airport's history - an 8 percent increase over the previous record set in 2015.

Disney's Geyser Point Bar & Grill Opens

Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney's Wilderness Lodge opened Monday. Located along the water's edge, its cedar beams and natural stone fit into the design that's reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest.

TravelPulse Spotlights Romantic Orlando Day Trips

A recent TravelPulse article spotlights six Orlando day trips for Valentine's Day that are within an hour's drive of the theme parks, including visits to Winter Park and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, Lake Eola and downtown's variety of eateries.

Hotel Guests Devouring Bandwidth

Guests are devouring hotel bandwidth with increasing demands, data-hog applications and multiple devices per room, leaving hoteliers with the choice between satisfying guests and controlling costs.

Vacation Purchases & Social Media

Social media domains continue to be visited late into the travel funnel, with users regularly connecting with a social media site within 15 sites of their final purchase destination, according to the new "Understanding the Travel Consumer's Path to Purchase" white paper from EyeforTravel and Jumpshot.

Delta Bringing Back Free Food to Coach

Delta Airlines said Thursday it soon will feed passengers substantial food on 12 of its longest U.S. routes. Starting March 1, it says it'll be the first airline to offer free food "from nose to tail" on coast-to-coast routes, including the Orlando route.

CDC Zika Information

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), its most current data available at the time of this writing (for the period of Jan. 1, 2015-Feb. 15, 2017) indicate that 220 locally acquired cases have been reported in the United States, while 4,748 travel-associated cases have been reported. For the most current information about the Zika virus, visit the CDC's Zika page.